Kentish Express Ashford & District
First points proving elusive
Rugby
Ashford are still on the hunt for their first league points of the London 2 South East season following a 31-12 home loss to Dartfordians last Saturday.
The visitors led after clever play from a lineout saw the ball offloaded to Dartfordians’ hooker who went over in the corner. The try was converted for a 7-0 lead.
The advantage was doubled three minutes later when a speculative kick out of defence was fielded by the visitors’ full-back, who combined well with his left-winger to score in the opposite corner. Again the extras were added.
Ben Edgar made his Ashford bow from the bench when Jake Begg was injured, but on the half-hour mark the hosts were caught out by a Dartfordians counter attack, resulting in their third converted score.
Ashford had the final say of the half. A quickly-taken penalty by Rhys Fussell was moved down the line to winger Farai Myezwa, whose pace took him beyond the visitors’ defence. His run in to the posts made Charlie Colman’s conversion a formality.
The start of the second half was frenetic but on the hour the visitors’ ability to react swiftly to opposition mistakes came to the fore.
A successful interception from an Ashford breakdown was ruthlessly punished and Dartfordians added a fourth try.
As the game entered its final minutes, Dartfordians
rounded off their scoring with their best try of the match, the forwards winning quick ball on the right and a rapid transfer to the opposite wing created the opening for their fifth touchdown.
There was still time for Ashford full-back Will Blyth’s kick to create an opportunity for winger Harrison Kemp, which he took to drive over the line.
Ashford visit Beccehamian this Saturday.
Ashford 2nds’ Chris Sargent faces a long spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a 62-24 defeat at Canterbury 3rds, while Ashford 3rds lost 15-12 to Canterbury.
Their cause was not helped by a collarbone injury to Martyn Hodge.
There was better news for Ashford Colts Academy. They beat Tonbridge Juddians 24-14 to record their first victory of the season.
Coach Charlie Vavasour said: “This was a great effort by the boys and fantastic to record our first win against a very good TJs side.
“Captains Sam Haddleton and Bryn Hopkins both led from the front and were backed up by strong performances across the park, in particular William Burbidge’s try-saving tackling and Max McCormack’s
four turnovers.”
Ashford’s women travelled to Southend for their first away fixture of the season. BeckyLee Birtwhistle-Hodge scored two tries, but Southend ran out 31-10 winners.
Ashford host New Ash Green on Sunday.
Ashford have a new club president. Mick Stanley has taken over from Ian Foinette and, like his predecessor, has been involved with the club as player, captain and taken on other off-field roles.
Club chairman John Norman expressed his thanks for Mr Foinette’s service at last week’s annual meeting.